MovieChat Forums > Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) Discussion > Jim Henson....

Jim Henson....

posted 6 years ago by artguylarry (498)
5 replies | jump to latest

Jim Henson was a master in his own right. When created the character of Yoda for Empire Strikes Back, he made the perfect character. But when Return of the Jedi came around, who was it that said "awesome job" and threw a couple dozen more characters into his lap?

For me, Return of the Jedi was a complete embarrassment, once we (the viewers) were taken into Jabba's palace. I thought it was a joke! It's no exaggeration to say that it would not have felt out of place to see Kermit, Gonzo and Miss Piggy just kinda wandering around the background of Jabba's palace. It was one big Muppet show, especially that band. Between Jabba's palace and the Ewoks later on, I couldn't take the movie seriously at any point.

Does anyone else agree?

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

Yeah, agree. The first time I saw ROTJ, a few days after its initial release, I was completely underwhelmed by the Jabba scenes, only partly because most of his henchmen were obviously muppets.

There were limits to Jim Henson's genius, as anyone who's seen "The Dark Crystal" knows.

[–] hyperjet (719) 6 years ago

Yes. I call this The Muppet Movie. That scene was long and tedious. It seemed like an out take of the holiday special.

[–] AZ (62) 6 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Volley (3433) 6 years ago

It was a little awkward seeing Jabba's palace and the Muppet show it basically turned into that first time, especially when they go off partying and singing, and then Oola pisses off Jabba and gets eaten by the Rancor... but the moment Luke arrives and Leia emerges with that slave bikini, it's all serious business and back to awesome Star Wars.

Teddy Bear Ewoks defeating Palpatine's "best troops" may have hurt the movie more than Jabba's palace upon retrospect.

[–] TheUltimateHippo (2250) 6 years ago

ROTJ is still a good movie but I totally agree way too many muppets